Is There a Need to Increase -- Or Decrease -- the Power of Probate Judges in Ohio?

This fall, the Ohio House will consider a measure that could quash public complaints about probate judges. The amendment was first included and removed from the budget. But weeks later, it appeared as a standalone bill.

In this final part of our look at the “Power of Probate Judges In Ohio,” WKSU’s Kabir Bhatia looks at efforts to increase or decrease their power.

In Ohio, probate judges are charged with handling wills, estates, marriage licenses and even mental competency hearings. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that, in many counties, the same judges can also appoint people to boards of developmental disabilities and public hospital boards. Probate judges can also approve their own staff members to help tax commissioners accept returns. And they can even decide who gets to hold religious services in county jails.

Many of these appointments are done in concert with county officials. Barberton Municipal Court Judge Todd McKenney served about a year as a Summit County probate judge from 2011 until 2012, filling out the term of a retired colleague. He says having more than one entity control county appointments allows for more diversity.

“In Summit, the county executive – or the county commissioners in other counties – would also be making appointments to those boards. I think the idea was, if you spread these appointments around, what you’re going to get is a better reflection of the community. And so the probate judge may have one appointment, but the other appointing authorities ... are going to have other appointments.”  (Click to Continue)

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Is There a Need to Increase -- Or Decrease -- the Power of Probate Judges in Ohio?